Honestly though, it'd be lame to cancel a show like this just to make sure you can write the lyrics to whatever ballad they throw his way.

I suspect there's more at play, though on the other hand, I can't really be arsed. It's quite lame to cancel four(?) months in advance of a festival when you've committed yourself about a year ago. The fans, especially those who bought tickets to specifically see JLB deserve a better explanation than what was given.

I still don't understand how it's acceptable when other bands come from literally the other side of the planet for one show at this thing. I would at least like to get more details as to why this happened. If it's only because of the DT album, why can't the band let their singer of 25+ years off for a couple days to travel just a few states away and give a MUCH anticipated performance, one that arguably helped drive a number of ticket sales? Hell, weren't there a few times James used to record his vocals up in freaking Canada and not even be in the studio?

Perhaps LaBrie planned on it not interfering with what DT was going to be doing but DT's schedule changed. The focus on writing new DT material explanation seems is legit to me.

We live in a world of demanding detailed explanations as to the why. I'm sure LaBrie has other factors that came into play, but the main one is writing the new DT album. That should be satisfactory.

Honestly, it's not satisfactory.

Why not? I'm not disagreeing or being critical, I'm curious.

I'm going to speculate as to a deeper reason why. They were scheduled for one evening at this 4 day event in Atlanta. Although it may seem easy to get everyone together to play one show it may not have worked out to get everyone together for enough rehearsals in order to make it a quality show - with the main reason being LaBrie's commitment to the new DT record. If I were going, I would want to see the guys in the band (especially Sfogli, Wildoer, Guillory) and not a different group of musicians.

Honestly, as far as rehearsing and prep goes, JLB might be the least important member of his own solo band.

The band itself could easily spend however long they need rehearsing and prepping, with JLB doing it on his own and then joining them 2 days or so before the show.

Keep in mind he did the whole Ayreon show on like 2 days rehearsal.

Absolutely. The actual band rehearsing is what would take the most time, and it seems as if Matt would be the musical director in terms of making sure everything was tight anyway. James could easily show up for 2 days of rehearsal, do the gig and be back with DT in 4 days time. Weird situation.

In my opinion, it might be because JLB's involvement in writing the new album is the same as JP and JR. Honestly it will be interesting to hear what they'll come up with having ALL five of them in a room writing the new record..

In my opinion, it might be because JLB's involvement in writing the new album is the same as JP and JR. Honestly it will be interesting to hear what they'll come up with having ALL five of them in a room writing the new record..

Now this I would like.

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I don't know how they can be so proud of winning with them odds. - Little Big Man

We already have two threads discussing this... but yea, it totally sucks. I am one who is going to PP and JLB is one of the main reasons. I think he and DT wronged a lot of fans on this one. I would like more explanation and hopefully it is because:

In my opinion, it might be because JLB's involvement in writing the new album is the same as JP and JR. Honestly it will be interesting to hear what they'll come up with having ALL five of them in a room writing the new record..

because historically, JLB doesn't need to be in the studio when they write music.

Doing his parts of T.H.E. is a little different than doing 14-18 songs of a 2 hour headline spot.

Well, but with Ayreon he was part of an ensemble cast, I assume he had to prepare some coordination with the other singers sharing the stage with him... ok, if everyone knows their parts, they can show up knowing exactly what to do, but I would believe there'd be some kind of meeting with the various singers before, if only to know where to move on stage and not bump into each other while acting a line or something.

It is a stinker because of all the bands, JLB was the draw this year. Much like how MP was the draw last year with the Shattered Fortress 12 step suite. Promoters depend on a big name for the draw and now there isn't one at the moment. I wonder how much it will hurt ProgPower in the wallet and if there's any legal recourse? Perhaps there could have been something in the agreement/contract stating that if you back out before a certain time period then there's no violation. Of course we don't know.

I've always viewed JLB as a cool guy. I wouldn't think that he would pull out of an event because of spite or anything negative. Cool people can have bad management too. There are other potential factors that could be in play here beyond the stated DT album process and I assume that would be the case.

In sincerity, I hope it's nothing health related. JLB turns 55 this week. While that's not old, it's not young either.

Who are the legitimate 'big names' of US-based Prog-metallers that might be available? Symphony-X? Adler led Fates Warning (can't remember if they're touring at this time somewhere)? Devy? But, the latter two just played two years ago.

God help Glenn if he has to resort to Operation Mindcrime. Or maybe a QR 'reunion'. My, wouldn't that be interesting. But it wouldn't quite work without CDG. If he can't get a big enough name, does he bump Redemption up to the headline spot?

Mike Portnoy to the rescue. Sons of Apollo at Progpower only makes sense!

I don't hate it. Pretty good jab at DT/JLB, and wouldn't be surprised if MP approached PP for the opportunity to feast. I don't love it just because I don't love SOA, but I am cool with it since it'll at least be a band I'll watch vs. one I have no interest in.

Mike Portnoy to the rescue. Sons of Apollo at Progpower only makes sense!

I don't hate it. Pretty good jab at DT/JLB, and wouldn't be surprised if MP approached PP for the opportunity to feast. I don't love it just because I don't love SOA, but I am cool with it since it'll at least be a band I'll watch vs. one I have no interest in.

It is funny that I had a feeling it'd be SOA. Since they're touring and already know the songs. But...ugh, it just refueled the DT vs. MP drama.

People will say JLB doesn't care about playing live for hia fans. Promoters likely won't book JLB in the future. We may never get to hear JLB live at all.

I wonder if Glenn feels how Arjen felt when Russell Allen dropped from the Ayreon Universe shows?

Honestly I'd rather have a different band headline, besides SOA but if that's all he could get and it feels Glenn knows about the drama and what else will get people to go. Bring in the band of the guy whom left the headliners main band.

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I don't know how they can be so proud of winning with them odds. - Little Big Man

JLB obviously brings in DT fans and MP does as well, so it's a pretty solid replacement when you think about it. I think we all could dream about what band we personally want to see, but this makes a lot of sense and also is a good pick up so late in the game.

JLB obviously brings in DT fans and MP does as well, so it's a pretty solid replacement when you think about it. I think we all could dream about what band we personally want to see, but this makes a lot of sense and also is a good pick up so late in the game.

Indeed, probably there's a bit of a "In your face James" reason for that, but really, out of all the options available (and I assume that means USA bands because of VISA reasons), why not replace a DT member with an ex DT member? at least the fanbase is roughly the same. If at all, on the other hand, it's Mike who has more crossover appeal, I can't believe someone actively follows James' solo carrer but doesn't care for DT. There might be however more Portnoy fans who don't follow him solely or mainly for DT (there must be many prog fans out there brought in by Neal Morse who consider DT too heavy for example, isn't it?)

I edited the title of the thread. After talking directly with the DT camp, I can tell you that we are in fact drawing the WRONG conclusion from that announcement. Any assumption that DT made James cancel is not accurate. A more official clarifying announcement should be coming soon. But I can tell you that my information is directly from the source.

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I edited the title of the thread. After talking directly with the DT camp, I can tell you that we are in fact drawing the WRONG conclusion from that announcement. Any assumption that DT made James cancel is not accurate. A more official clarifying announcement should be coming soon. But I can tell you that my information is directly from the source.

Good to know! Thanks for the clarification, Bosk. I just hope this doesn’t hurt James’ image too much

I hope this means he can be in the studio and they can write as a full band. It would also be nice to have 2 or 3 Labrie lyrics to proper full length songs - how long has that been?? One <4min song in the last 11 years?

Looking forward to this release either way. I have a feeling it's gonna be a good one!

I hope this means he can be in the studio and they can write as a full band. It would also be nice to have 2 or 3 Labrie lyrics to proper full length songs - how long has that been?? One <4min song in the last 11 years?

Speaking personally, I wish some of these acts would just be honest, and say "sorry guys, the numbers aren't there". Last time around it was "visa" issues. Before with Pain of Salvation it was "we hate Bush and are protesting."

Maybe it would be nice to hear "we're largely a studio band, we thought things would be different 8 months ago, but we've failed to secure other dates around this time that would make getting together, rehearsing, and flying across the pond for this show worth it."